2013-02-13 09:09:05 -

Rautaruukki Corporation Press release 13 February 2013 at 10am EET

Process changes and replacement of dust removal devices reduced particulate
emissions significantly last year in line with targets to result in an emissions
reduction of over 80 per cent compared to 2011.

The decrease in emissions was especially attributable to the changeover to
pellets as feedstock, the related closure of the sinter plant and replacement of
the dust removal devices in the blast furnaces at the steel mill. In addition,
the closed cooling water circulation system in blast furnace slag granulation
has considerably reduced the discharge of suspended solids into the sea.

"Regular emissions measurements indicate the fall we sought in particulate
emissions in all measurement results," reports Pirjo Lerssi, Environmental
Manager at the Raahe Works.

Particulate emissions at the works have   decreased by almost 84 per cent since
2011. Modernisation of the dust removal devices in the blast furnaces reduced
their particulate emissions by 68 per cent compared to previous years. Switching
over to the use of iron pellets has reduced the processing of dispersoids. This
in turn has resulted in a decrease of 16 per cent in fugitive dust emissions.
Dust contains heavy metal particles, which decrease as dust decreases. Emissions
of sulphur dioxide into the air were just a quarter of what they were in 2011.
In practice, hydrogen sulphide emissions have also been practically eliminated.
Likewise, carbon dioxide emissions have decreased by around a further 10 per
cent.

"Everyone at the works is delighted that our efforts for the good of the
environment and the works environs have had such a notable impact," Pirjo Lerssi
adds.

Ruukki has been actively working to reduce emissions at the steel mill by
investing in environmental technology and by improving production processes.
Ruukki's steel production already ranked higher than the European average in
terms of carbon dioxide efficiency. In addition, both blast furnaces at the
works have for years ranked among the most energy efficient in Europe.

Ruukki continues to work on eco-efficiency at the Raahe steel mill. Work is
currently under way on a dust removal system at the steel plant to collect
fugitive dust emissions. The system is expected to reduce fugitive dust
emissions and to further improve the air quality in the environs of the works.

For more information, please contact:
Toni Hemminki, SVP, Technology, Energy and Environment, Rautaruukki Corporation,
tel. +358 20 592 9217
Pirjo Lerssi, Environmental Manager, Ruukki Metals Oy, tel. +358 40 549 0345

Ruukki provides its customers with energy-efficient steel solutions for better
living, working and moving. Ruukki operates in some 30 countries and employs
around 9,000 people. Net sales in 2011 totalled EUR 2.8 billion. The company's
share is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (Rautaruukki Oyj: RTRKS).






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Source: Rautaruukki Oyj via Thomson Reuters ONE
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